Comparison of conventional and Alltech beef PN finishing programs: performance and

The objective of this study was to compare the feedlot and carcass performance of the PN Beef Program in relation to a conventional feedlot diet when both diets are combined with or without exogenous growth promotants

Cattle handling technique can induce fatigued cattle syndrome in cattle not fed a beta adrenergic agonist

Citation: Frese, D. A., Reinhardt, C. D., Bartle, S. J., Rethorst, D. N., Hutcheson, J. P., Nichols, W. T., . . . Thomson, D. U. (2016). Cattle handling technique can induce fatigued cattle syndrome in cattle not fed a beta adrenergic agonist. Journal of Animal Science, 94(2), 581-591. doi:10.2527/jas2015-9824Angus crossbred steers (n = 40; 563 +/- 44 kg) were used to examine the effects of handling method and fat thickness on the blood chemistry and physiology of market steers. Steers were blocked by backfat (BF) thickness and were randomly assigned to treatment groups: low-stress handling (LSH) and aggressive handling (AH). Cattle were then ran-domly assigned to one of 5 blocks containing 4 steers from the LSH and AH treatments. Steers in the LSH treatment were walked and AH cattle were run through a course of 1,540 m. Blood samples were obtained via jugular venipuncture before handling (BASE), at 770 m (LAP1), at 1,540 m (LAP2), and at1 h (1H) and 2 h (2H) after finishing the course. Blood samples were analyzed for plasma lactate (LAC), creatinine kinase (CK), base excess (BE), blood pH (pH), serum cortisol (CORT) concentrations, and venous carbon dioxide (PvCO2) and oxygen (PvO2) pressures. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and rectal temperature (TEMP) were measured at the same intervals. Cattle in the AH treatment had greater (P 0.14). Blood pH in AH cattle was decreased compared with that in LSH cattle (P 0.13) at BASE, 1H, or 2H. Heart rate and TEMP were increased in AH cattle compared to LSH (P > 0.01). Serum cortisol was increased (P < 0.05) in AH compared to that in LSH cattle at LAP1 (87.5 vs. 58.9 nmol/ L), LAP2 (144.4 vs. 93.1 nmol/ L), and 1H (113.5 vs. 53.1 nmol/ L). Although RR was not differ-ent between LSH and AH, PvCO2 was decreased in AH compared to that in LSH (P < 0.05) at LAP2 (30.6 vs. 39.3 mmHg) and PvO2 was increased at LAP1 (42.7 vs. 33.5 mmHg) and at LAP2 (51.5 vs. 36.6 mmHg). Lactate was increased in AH cattle in the thicker BF group at 1H (P < 0.05), and blood pH was decreased at LAP1, LAP2, and 1H (P < 0.05) compared to the thinner BF cohorts. Four AH steers became exhausted (EXH) and did not complete the course. Increased CK, decreased PvCO2, and muscle tremors occurred in EXH steers compared to non-exhausted AH cohorts. Results of this study show that AH causes physiologic and blood chemistry changes in steers, which can be potentially detrimental to cattle, emphasizing the need for lowstress handling practices

Effect of increasing initial implant dosage on feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of long-fed steer and heifer calves1,2

Three experiments evaluated initial implant strategies for finishing cattle. In Exp. 1, heifers (n = 1,405; initial BW = 282 kg) were given (1) Revalor-IH followed by Revalor-200 (REV-IH/200), (2) Revalor-H followed by Revalor-200 (REV-H/200), or (3) Revalor-200 followed by Revalor-200 (REV-200/200). Intake, ADG, and G:F were not affected (P ≥ 0.14) by implant strategies, nor were HCW and LM area (P ≥ 0.16). Percent USDA Choice was greater (P \u3c 0.01) for Rev-IH/200 compared with Rev-H/200 and Rev-200/200. Experiment 2 used steers (n = 1,858; initial BW = 250 kg) given (1) Revalor-IS reimplanted with Revalor-200 (Rev-IS/200), (2) Revalor-XS followed by Revalor-IS (Rev-XS/IS), (3) Revalor-XS followed by Revalor-S (Rev-XS/S), or (4) Revalor-XS followed by Revalor-200 (Rev-XS/200). Implanting strategies did not affect (P ≥ 0.32) DMI or G:F. Carcass traits were not different (P ≥ 0.18) among treatments, except steers implanted with Rev-XS/200 had greater (P \u3c 0.01) LM area. In Exp. 3, steers (n = 1,408; initial BW = 305 kg) were given (1) Rev-IS/200, (2) Rev-200/200, or (3) Rev-XS/200. Gain and G:F did not differ (P ≥ 0.36) among the 3 implant strategies, nor did HCW or marbling score (P ≥ 0.15). Steers given Rev-XS/200 had greater (P \u3c 0.01) LM area and decreased (P ≤ 0.05) 12th-rib fat and YG compared with Rev-200/200 and Rev-IS/200. Using Rev-200/200 and Rev-XS/200 increased (P = 0.03) USDA Select compared with Rev-IS/200. Using greater-initial-dose implant strategies may not affect ADG or G:F but appears to increase leanness

Effect of the Programmed Nutrition Beef Program on moisture retention of cooked ground beef patties and enhanced strip loins

This study evaluated the influence of the Programmed Nutrition Beef Program and exogenous growth promotants (ExGP) on water holding capacity characteristics of enhanced beef strip loins. Sixty, frozen strip loins, arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial treatment arrangement with dietary program serving as the first factor and use of ExGP as the second factor, were thawed, injected with an enhancement solution, and stored for 7 days. Loins from ExGP cattle possessed the ability to bind more (P 0.10) before injection, but increased post-injection and after storage (P 0.10). The Programmed Nutrition Beef Program and use of ExGPs minimally impacted water holding capacity of enhanced frozen/thawed beef strip loins

Effects of Concentrate Level and Pen Configuration on Performance of Boer Crossbred Goat Kids

One hundred eighty-one Boer-sired goat kids from dams of predominantly Spanish breeding (17.6 ± 2.34 kg initial BW; 177 wethers, 4 doelings) were used to determine optimum inclusion level of concentrate in diets fed to goats in confinement. Effects of elevated loafing areas on performance were also examined. Goats were blocked by weight (2 blocks per treatment) and randomly assigned to 1 of 12 outdoor pens (4.3 m2; 15 to 16 head/pen) with concrete floors. Pens of goats were randomly assigned, within block, to 1 of 6 treatments. A 2 × 3 factorial arrangement was used with factors consisting of pen configuration, defined as the presence or absence of a concrete structure (45 cm high, 75 cm wide, and 150 cm long) in the center of the pen, and level of concentrate in the diet (50, 70, or 90%). Goats were fed diets ad libitum twice daily for 126 d. Dry matter intake decreased linearly (P \u3c 0.01) and gain efficiency increased linearly (P = 0.03) as the proportion of concentrate in the diet increased. Average daily gain (P \u3c 0.01) and final BW (P = 0.02) responded quadratically to concentrate level, and were greatest for goats fed 70% concentrate. Presence of an elevated loafing area in the pen tended to decrease DMI (P = 0.09). Increasing the level of concentrate in the diet generally improved performance of Boer-crossbred goat kids fed in confinement

Comparison of conventional and Alltech Beef PN finishing programs: meat color characteristics

To maximize efficiency and profit when producing beef, American producers currently employ a multitude of production programs that use feed additives such as Rumensin or Tylan (Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN) and growth promotants such as implants and Optaflexx (Elanco Animal Health). Rumensin and Tylan fed in combination can improve average daily gain and feed efficiency, and utilizing growth promotants enhances feed efficiency, average daily gain, hot carcass weight, and yield grades of carcasses. Although these products improve production efficiency, they can affect meat quality characteristics such as retail shelf life, necessitating better understanding of how management decisions in the feedlot can affect retail display. The Alltech PN Beef Program (Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY) consists of two products that are designed to replace components of a conventional feedlot diet. The PN Beef Receiver is intended to be fed during the step-up period of feeding, whereas PN Beef Finisher is intended to be fed during the remainder of finishing period. Because both products are new feed alternatives, the objective of this study was to compare the effects of the Alltech PN Feed Program to a conventional diet on fresh meat retail shelf life color when both diets were fed with or without implants and Optaflexx

Comparison of conventional and Alltech Beef PN finishing programs: meat water-holding capacity and tenderness

Tenderness, juiciness, and flavor play important roles in a satisfactory beef eating experience. All three factors can be affected by management decisions made by producers during the production of beef. Beef producers currently use a multitude of production programs that utilize feed additives such as Rumensin or Tylan (Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN), and growth promotants such as implants and Optaflexx (Elanco Animal Health). Rumensin and Tylan are fed in combination to improve feedlot performance, whereas growth promotants improve feed efficiency, average daily gain, hot carcass weight, and yield grades of carcasses. Although the use of feed additives and growth promotants improves production efficiency, they can affect meat characteristics such as tenderness and water-holding capacity. The Alltech PN Beef Program (Alltech Inc., Nicholasville, KY) consists of two products that are designed to replace components of the conventional feedlot diet. The PN Beef Receiver is intended to be fed during the step-up period of feeding, whereas PN Beef Finisher is intended to be fed during the remainder of finishing period. Because both products are new feed alternatives, the objective of this study was to compare the fresh cooked meat quality of the Alltech PN Beef Program to a conventional feedlot diet when both diets are combined with or without growth promotants

Technology Transfer and Industry Liaison for Kansas Economic Development

In this era of rapid technological change and of revolutionary changes in the global marketplace, the survival of Kansas industry depends on its ability to innovate and adjust to its ever-changing environment. Since innovation depends upon the development of and access to existing and new technology, programs that provide technology transfer and technical assistance enhance firm innovation, gestation, competitiveness, and thus survival. This report offers a comprehensive model of technology transfer and higher education-private sector liaison for Kansas economic development. The model takes into account the nature and characteristics of Kansas industry, the capacity of Kansas higher education, the experience of other states with similar programs, and the state's economic development goals of business development, retention, and expansion

Dutch prostate cancer patients' views about exercise and experience with exercise advice: a national survey

Purpose: To support the development and implementation of exercise programming for people with prostate cancer (PC), we investigated their views on exercise. Methods: Online survey with open recruitment. We collected data on clinical and sociodemographic variables, experiences with exercise advice, outcome expectations, and preferences. We explored determinants of (1) having been counselled about exercise and (2) preferring supervised exercise. Results: The survey was completed by 171 patients (mean age = 70 years, SD = 6.5) from all PC treatment pathways. Sixty-three percent of the respondents reported never having been informed about the potential benefits of exercise. Forty-nine percent preferred exercise to be supervised. Respondents generally reported a positive attitude towards exercise. Seventy-four percent indicated barriers to exercising, including fatigue and lack of access to specific programmes. Outcome expectations were generally positive but moderately strong. Receiving hormonal therapy and younger age were significantly associated with having received exercise advice. Being insured and having higher fatigue levels contributed significantly to the preference for supervised exercise. Conclusion: Dutch people with PC report receiving insufficient effective exercise counselling. Yet, they are open to exercise and expect exercise to improve their health, although they experience various barriers that limit their ability to exercise. Implications for Cancer Survivors: The moderate outcome expectations for exercise of people with PC and their limited recall of exercise counselling highlight the need for better integration of exercise in clinical pathways. The lack of access to specific programming limits the use of evidence-based exercise programmes for people with PC